ASEAN INTENSHIP PROGRAMME PLUS
THIS ISN'T JUST AN OVERSEAS INTERNSHIP. IT'S LEARNING, EXPOSURE, AND EXPERIENCE - COMBINED.
ASEAN INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME PLUS
VIETNAM (HANOI, HO CHI MINH CITY)
THAILAND (BANGKOK)
APPLICATION PERIOD: FEBRUARY
Gain real-world skills through internships and study in ASEAN for 13 weeks during SMU term break
Earn up to two academic credits for internship and study components, fulfilling your Internship and Global Exposure graduation requirements
Experience diverse cultures, build meaningful connections, and shape your future
Engage in immersive, cross-cultural learning experiences that enhance regional exposure and foster connections with industry professionals
WHY AIP+?
*Students and employers may contact SMU's Career Centre DKHMCC here for enquiries related to internships.
What Students Say
AIP+ TIMELINE AT A GLANCE
1 INTERNSHIP APPLICATION
COMPLETE
Internship prerequisites (6 modules + 3 assignments and 1 quiz)
CONTACT
Your career coach to perfect your resume and prepare for internship applications
ATTEND
Internship interviews and review offers you receive (this is an iterative process)
2 AIP+ APPLICATION
APPLY
For AIP+ in February
ACCEPT
Offer* by March
COMPLETE
Payment to secure your offer
3 BEFORE DEPARTURE
ARRANGE
Internship visa, GRT funding (if eligible) and flight ticket
COMPLETE
Online exchange worksheet and mandatory language course
ATTEND
Pre-departure briefing
4 DURING AIP+
ARRIVE
Together on common flight
ATTEND
6 lessons in first week
COMMENCE
Internship with weekly lessons
*Please note that acceptance of an offer to AIP+ does not guarantee an internship placement in your choice of company.
The ASEAN Internship Programme Plus (AIP+) is offered by SMU’s Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC) and Centre for Global Education & Opportunities (GEO), designed for SMU students seeking to enhance their employability and global readiness.
AIP+ combines an internship at an ASEAN company with a complementary study programme in the host country, providing students with both practical work experience and academic insights into the region. These courses are offered in ASEAN countries such as Vietnam and Thailand. Focused on the theme “Politics, Economy, and Society,” the course enriches and complements students’ internship experience. It provides insights into each country’s political, social, and economic systems, explores opportunities arising from urbanization and labor trends, and examines sustainable development and green economic models, all while students are engaged in their internships.
Students who successfully complete the AIP+ programme will earn 2 SMU Credits (CU) for both the internship and the course, and fulfil both their Internship and Global Exposure graduation requirements.
Students must complete the first year of their studies with cGPA:
≥ 3.0 for YPHSL students
≥ 2.0 for students from other schools
Students who are in their graduating term of study cannot apply for AIP+.
Please also note that students who are taking courses in the immediate next regular term after the external study term will be required to pay the full-term fees, even if they have only one last course to clear.
Structure of AIP+
During Week 1
6 sessions + seminars + 2D1N field trip
During Internship
6 weekday sessions
Pre-approved Course Mapping
All AIP+ courses are pre-approved for specific course areas, such as
- Asia Studies
- Cultures of the Modern World
- Free Electives
You may find out more about previous course areas mapped for different AIP+ destinations on OASIS, or when applications for AIP+ open in February each year.
These are potential internship job areas and functions for consideration:
Business Strategy
- Competitive and Financial Analysis
- Market Research and Insights
- Business Development
- Partnerships, Sales and Business
- Growth and Market Expansion
Technology
- Software Development (Full Stack/Front End)
- UI/UX Design and Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Computing and Sustainability
Marketing and Communication
- Digital Marketing and Research
- Employer Branding and Engagement
Students may view internship opportunities here.
February to 31 March
- Students must complete their Internship Prerequisites (6 modules, 3 assignments and 1 quiz) before their first recognised internship. Students who have already completed these prerequisites do not need to complete them again.
- Access job postings on ONTRAC II and submit your resume for suitable positions. Be sure to consult your career coach to perfect your resume and prepare for internship applications.
- Attend interviews and review offers you receive. This is an iterative process.
- Please contact DKHMCC at overseasdesk@smu.edu.sg if you require assistance in job matching
Mid-February
- Apply to AIP+ via OASIS. GEO will announce via emails from smushortterm@smu.edu.sg the start of applications.
- Accept AIP+ offer via OASIS. Please note that acceptance of the AIP+ offer on OASIS does not guarantee an internship placement in your choice of company.
- Students who are enrolled in AIP+ will be guaranteed an internship, though it may not be the initial role they had in mind. Students are encouraged to stay open to exploring different opportunities and DKHMCC will provide assistance in job matching.
Before early-March
- Submit payment undertaking form to secure your AIP+ placement.
Before 31 March
- Complete non-refundable payment for AIP+ course fee.
Mid-March to early-May
- Complete mandatory language course.
- Apply for GRT funding and Internship Visa.
- GEO will share the recommended flight, students to purchase flight tickets individually.
- Attend pre-departure briefing held in mid-April.
Early-May
- Attend lessons and any other academic segments such as field trips and seminars in Week 1.
- Start work at the internship company from Week 2.
- Schedule completion of assigned work tasks, taking into consideration the remaining lessons and academic commitments.
| AIP+ 2026 Course Fee |
S$900
|
- Students have the assurance of round-the-clock assistance from SMU’s emergency service provider while overseas. Students are highly encouraged to download the ISOS mobile application.
- SMU provides university-wide corporate travel insurance for all students travelling overseas to participate in qualified global exposure activities. For more details on SMU’s travel insurance, see here.
Find AIP+ in SMU News!
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Speak to our AIP+ Team
We are committed to furthering your learning journey towards global citizenship.
If you have any questions about AIP+, please reach out to us at smusummer@smu.edu.sg.
For internship related questions, please contact DKHMCC at overseasdesk@smu.edu.sg or visit this link to view overseas internship opportunities.
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